Rare 20-Key Barrel Organ with Three Monkey Automata by Théroude,

Retailed by Maison Alphonse Giroux, Paris, with 8-air barrel, hand-cranked movement with camshaft for monkey fiddler, cellist and magician with papier-mâché heads, articulated lips and eyes, carved wood lower limbs, the fiddler with articulated left foot, dressed in second generation costumes in the original style, music stands, two tricorn hats and violin case completing the scene, on rosewood-veneered base with partial tune-sheet and retailer's label of: "Maison Alph. Giroux, 43 Boulevard des Capucines, Successeur Ferdinand Duvinage, Tableaux, Objects d'Art, Bronzes Fantaisies, Encardrements, Ebénisterie, Papeterie, Jouets", 23 in. (58,5 cm) wide x 33 in. (84 cm) total height, magician 15 in. (38 cm) high with hat. – The monkeys turn and nod their heads, blink and chatter as the two musicians play their instruments and the magician lifts two cups to reveal a series of changing objects. Overall good working condition. The barrel organ plays well. The figures retain their original paint and wigs (hair sparse on the musicians), the leather upper lips on the two musicians are split and not all of the movements of the three figures are operational. The organ is accompanied by an antique (possibly original) grain-painted wood carrying case. – Alphonse Giroux was a Parisian dealer of luxury goods, toys, boxes and the first commercially-produced daguerreotype cameras. His label has been recorded on finely-detailed early automata as well as the more toy-like pieces by Alexandre Nicolas Théroude. Giroux was succeeded by his relative, Ferdinand Duvinage, in around 1868. – An impressive demonstration piece!

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)